“One of the guys, on the way out, said, ’Listen, I paid 100 bucks and you’re only staying for an hour and a half on the court. Give me something else. Give me a racket or something,’” Djokovic said.

Other winners Thursday included No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki and No. 28 Serena Williams on the women’s side and No. 3 Roger Federer on the men’s side. In the best match of the day, in Louis Armstrong Stadium, No. 7 Gael Monfils lost to 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4.

After dealing with injuries all year, Ferrero — a former world No. 1 — is making his first appearance at a major in 2011. He has won two five-setters.

“This match means a lot for me because it was a long time that I didn’t enjoy myself inside the court,” Ferrero said.